Sabra

Main battle tank

The Sabra main
battle tank is a modernized version of the M60A3, developed in
Israel

Entered service

2007

Crew

4 men

Dimensions and weight

Weight

55 t

Length (gun forward)

9.4 m

Hull length

8.26 m

Width

3.63 m

Height

3.05 m

Armament

Main gun

120-mm smoothbore

Machine guns

3 x 7.62-mm

Mortar

1 x 60-mm

Elevation range

- 9 to + 20 degrees

Traverse range

360 degrees

Ammunition load

Main gun

42 rounds

Machine guns

?

Mobility

Engine

Continental AVDS-1790-5A diesel

Engine power

900 hp

Maximum road speed

48 km/h

Range

450 km

Maneuverability

Gradient

60%

Side slope

30%

Vertical step

0.91 m

Trench

2.6 m

Fording

1.4 m

Fording (with preparation)

2.4 m

The Sabra
main battle tank is an upgrade of the M60A3 developed in Israel to
extend service life of the ageing
M60
series tanks and making them capable.
Upgraded tanks have increased lethality, protection and mobility. The Sabra main battle tanks are currently in service with Israel and
Turkey. A contract to upgrade 170 M60 main battle tanks in service
with Turkish army to the Sabra Mk.2 standard was awarded to Israel Military Industries
(IMI) in 2002
and the first prototype was delivered for trials and evaluation in 2005. It entered
service with the Turkish Army and is locally known as the M60T. A
total of 170 Turkish Army tanks were upgraded.

The Sabra
main battle tank is armed with a 120-mm smoothbore gun. This gun was
developed in Israel and is similar to the
Merkava Mk.3 gun. It is significantly superior to the original
105-mm gun installed on the M60 series tanks. This gun is capable of firing
all standard NATO 120-mm ammunition. This gun is loaded manually. A total
of 42 rounds for the main gun are carried. The Sabra also has new
Knight fire control system.

Secondary
armament consists of coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun, and two machine
guns of the same caliber mounted on top of the roof. Alternatively
a 5.45-mm MGs can be used. The Sabra MBT is also fitted with a 60-mm
mortar.

The Sabra
main battle tank has a crew of four, including commander, gunner,
loader and driver.

Vehicle is
powered by Continental AVDS-1790-5A turbocharged diesel engine,
developing 900 horsepower. Chassis of the M60A3 has been upgraded to
coupe with increased weight and for better cross-country mobility.

Variants

Sabra Mk.1
an upgraded version of the Magach 7C, fitted with
a 120-mm gun,
improved add-on armor and new fire control system. Running gear was
also upgraded;

Sabra
Mk.2 is fitted with modular passive armor and explosive reactive armor. Modular armor can be easily replaced
if damaged or upgraded if more advanced armor is available. This
version can be identified by a large M60-style commander cupola. It
is powered by a more powerful German MTU 881 turbocharged diesel
engine, developing 1 000 hp. The Sabra Mk.2 is in service with the
Turkish Army and is locally known as the M60T;

Sabra
Mk.3 is fitted with armor, similar to that of the
Merkava Mk.4 main battle tank. Commander's machine gun is
enclosed and operated remotely.